Oral history interview with Shirley Helmick conducted by Lyle Helmick on May 12, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Helmick discusses her personal history, occupational history, and reasons for moving to Nevada. She also explains events that the United Methodist Church hosts.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with R. Guild Gray conducted by James Benson on March 05, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Guild discusses Nevada’s school districts’ history, his teaching background, and the Peabody Study Abroad institute.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Bogdanovich conducted by Gretchen Schroeder on September 08, 2009 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Bogdanovich discusses his parents immigrating from Europe to the United States and how they met. He describes the mining process for gypsum in Blue Diamond, Nevada, including transporting the mineral. Bogdanovich recalls the living conditions in Blue Diamond and how residents got their water and electricity.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Howie Fuhr conducted by Jeff Krieger on March 08, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fuhr discusses his life in Minnesota and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1942.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gail Zamito conducted by Muriel Osborne on March 05, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Zamito discusses the development of Las Vegas, Nevada since her move to the city in 1950.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jackie Appledorn conducted by Patricia van Betten on January 30, 2007 and June 26, 2010 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Appledorn discusses the history of Blue Diamond Village, from it being a stop on the Old Spanish Trail to its expansion to a family town.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Myrtle Banks conducted by George Williams on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Banks discusses African American history in Nevada, specifically in the context of job opportunities, relationships with whites, and the social and political changes that took place over time. Banks also discusses the riots of the 1960s, changes in crime rates and their effect on the perception of safety. Lastly she discusses growth in the construction industry and population, inflation, and how gambling and entertainment define Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty West conducted by Claytee D. White on May 10, 2008 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, West discusses growing up in Blue Diamond, Nevada. She describes the work her father, Mark West, did at the mines and recalls the Village where mine workers and their families lived in the 1950s. West discusses her employment at the Sahara Hotel in the 1960s as a slot girl and later as a cocktail waitress. Lastly, West talks about the changes in Blue Diamond, and eventually moving to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mary C. Hurtado conducted by Angie DeLong and Sophie Romani on May 27, 2008 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. Hurtado opens her interview by recalling her third grade year at the Arden School in Blue Diamond, Nevada. Hurtado describes her favorite teacher, Ruby Danny. She then describes other teachers at the school, her childhood in the 1920s in Blue Diamond, and community events such as gift giving during the Christmas season. She discusses how it was necessary for residents of Blue Diamond to visit Las Vegas, Nevada for supplies and healthcare. The interviewers and Hurtado then describe their favorite Blue Diamond residents. Lastly, Hurtado talks about the importance that all family members pitch in to survive in a rural area like Blue Diamond during the 1930s.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with James W. Ault conducted by Patricia K. Kohlman on November 06, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ault discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1940 to 1975 and his career as a railroad engineer.
Archival Collection